Repair Help and Education

Home Mechanic Tool List — Intermediate

Maintaining your own bike can be fun, but it can also be confusing at times to know which tools you will need to perform the service you want. Below are a series of recommended tool lists for general maintenance of the average road or off-road bike. Attempt to develop two sets of tools: one for inside a seat bag for on-the-trail/road use, and another set for home use.

Because these lists are for "average" bikes, your particular bike may need more, less, or slightly different tools than what is listed here. For example, if your bike has a "threadless" headset, you will not need the headset wrench listed for threaded headsets. When in doubt, bring your bike to a professional bike shop and ask about a specific procedure or tool. Better yet, sign up for the Park Tool School, a class in bicycle maintenance at your local shop.

There are several sources of tools. Non-bicycle specific tools are usually available at better hardware stores, automotive shops, tool stores, and some department stores. Check with your local bike shop for specialty bicycle tools. When a Park Tool is our recommendation, the tool number is given. There are some cases where there may be more than one Park Tool that will work — in these cases, we will recommend either the most common or the simplest tool.

INTERMEDIATE TOOL LIST
Moving up from the Novice Repair-person, you want be able to replace a few worn out components, say a rear derailleur, chainrings, or cassette cogs. You want to be capable of adjusting bearings, but you won't necessarily be pulling them apart. You will be working on other peoples bikes and need a variety of tool options. You want to be able to perform what bike shops typically call a "major tune-up".